Mangaluru: In a peculiar coincidence, two probable game changers of the Mangaluru South and Moodabidiri constituencies, who have made the nominees of the strong national parties nervous, have gotten the same symbol-Autorikshaw.
Srikar Prabhu, a former BJP leader and independent candidate, who is contesting against incumbent MLA J R Lobo and his own community leader and BJP nominee D Vedavyas Kamath, has received the autorikshaw symbol to contest in the upcoming election. With his campaign vehicle, campaign office and door-to door-campaign, he has already made his opponents take him seriously as a probable heir to the MLA post in Mangaluru South.
On the other hand, Ashwin Jossy Pereira, who recently revolted against the JD(S) for not giving him the ticket to contest from the Moodubidri Assembly constituency has also received the autorickshaw symbol. His entry into the fray promises to pose a threat to the powerhouses, considering that there has been significant infighting among the members of the Congress and the BJP parties, who decided to field MLA Abhayachandra Jain and former Tulu Sahitya Academy President Umanatha Kotian respectively. With the entry of Ashwin, the electioneering here has taken an interesting turn since he enjoys the support of many young voters and is all set to give a memorable fight to his contenders.
With both these constituencies having strong independent candidates along with candidates from the national parties, it will be a triangular fight between them and a nail biting one too.
